she who entangles

Who: Justin Finch-Fletchley, Victoria Frobisher (for euphorialane)
Where: In the Magic Bean, during morning rush hour.
When: Sometime in the late summer/early fall, 2003. Justin's still living in his crappy flat.
What: Justin's landlady dies, leaving him desperate for a place to live. Vicki sympathizes.
Rating: G.

It was only a Tuesday, but Justin had already decided that this was the week from hell. His landlady had passed away two nights ago, leaving her house (and consequently, the room Justin was renting). Mrs. McGillicuddy's daughter had come over the night before and told him that he had to find new housing, because she was selling the house. Justin was at a loss to find new housing. He would have preferred to find someplace on Euphoria Lane, but even the cheapest housing was above his budget. He'd have to room with someone if he could afford it, but Justin wasn't comfortable with the idea of rooming with a strange person. Thus, he was more thoughtful and quieter than usual as he took care of his order that morning. Vicki got to the front of the line and tilted her head at Justin. He'd barely looked up from the till or the coffee as he served the other customers, and his normally infectious smile was nowhere to be seen. "Why so glum there, coffee boy?" She offered a smile of her own, hoping to encourage one of his. "Hey," he replied with a small smile, looking a bit more like himself. Scratching the back of his neck shyly, he shrugged and said, "Well, I'm not having the best week so far." He paused slightly, and then remembered where he was. "The usual?" Victoria nodded. "Sure, the usual...what's the matter?" Her nose scrunched in concern. Coffee aside, she was really beginning to think of Justin as a friend. Not to mention the little flirtation hanging over them...that offer of dinner that still lingered in her mind every time she thought of him. Justin just shrugged again as he grabbed a cup and started pouring her coffee. It was embarrassing to admit that he was broke and worried that he couldn't find a place to live, especially since Victoria seemed to be doing much better financially at the Ministry. "Just... having some financial issues. And flat issues, too." He grinned at her again as he turned to get the milk. "It's nothing important, really." Vicki knew broke much better than perhaps Justin thought. After all, a single mum hardly ever started out completely on her own two feet. She gave him a sympathetic glance as she took the cup and paid for it. "I'm sorry, Justin. Are you...going to have to move?" She seriously hoped not. Her morning cup of coffee would be an awful lot more boring without him. Justin gave up the pretense and let out a long sigh. "Yeah, I do," he admitted as he counted out her change and handed it back. "I just don't know where I can go. I'd move out here on Euphoria, but I can't - well, I can't afford most of the rates." He gestured at the counter before him as he continued, "This job doesn't pay as well as I'd like." It was a distinctly nervous Vicki that looked back at him. "But you won't have to leave, will you? Surely there's someplace nearby, isn't there?" She cleared her throat and composed her features. "I'd hate to see you leave, Justin." Justin was so preoccupied that he didn't even pick up on the subtle vibes coming from Vicki. "I really hope not. I love this job," he turned a little red at admitting this too, but it was the truth, "and I can't think of a better place to work. Hopefully I can find something.... Do you know of anything? Any free rooms someone's willing to let?" Justin used his puppy eyes just in case someone else on line was listening in. At the glance to the line behind, Victoria cleared her throat. "I wish I did, love. But I...I'm not sure, really. I'm sorry you're having a difficult time, Justin. But I'll...get out of your way," She moved to the side with her coffee, chewing a bit on her lip. "It's okay, really," he said, smiling a little. He honestly didn't think that she knew of anyone, since Vicki seemed like the kind of person who'd tell even before he asked. But he couldn't really continue since he had a job to do. "What would you like, love?" he asked the very nice elderly woman who was a regular. As he was filling out her order, Justin realized that he felt so much better now that he'd actually told someone. Maybe it was time for him to tell Vicki everything about the situation. "It was a pretty bad situation all around, actually," he said as he sprinkled some cinnamon on top of the drink. "My landlady died, and her daughter was a right b-" thankfully Justin realized just who he was handing the drink to before he cursed, "-er, bint about it. Told me I have two weeks and then she'll be selling the place." Vicki frowned in consternation. "Oh that's terrible! I mean, I feel sorry for her that her mum died, but...well it does seem like a rather dreadful situation all around," She sighed a bit and continued watching him. "Have you had a chance to start looking at places? You might get a flatmate, you know...that would save on rent." Justin was already in the middle of making a Zapuccino when he replied, "Yeah, I was thinking of that. But I feel odd letting a flat with someone I don't know. At Hogwarts it wasn't so bad, but now..." He made a face as he stirred the last of the sugar and handed over the counter to the waiting customer. Finally, the line was gone and everyone at the shop had already been served. Justin grabbed a wet towel and wiped the milk steamer as he said, "I'll think of something, don't worry. If not, I could probably shrink my boxes and just sleep on someone's couch until I find a more permanent spot." "Well, maybe you can find an old friend from Hogwarts..." A slight shadow crossed Victoria's face and she sighed. "That is, if you're not a terrible person like myself who fell out of contact with nearly everyone," She tried to soften her statement with a smile, but it was clear the issue bothered her. "Still, with that smile I'm sure you can find loads of couches to sleep on!" Tossing away the towel, Justin rested his elbows on the counter and replied, "Well, I did the same. During the war I was in the Muggle world." He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment as he continued, "I definitely lost touch with a lot of people. Sometimes I feel like I'm still out of touch with them." Victoria nodded, cheeks coloring a bit. "I ah...did the same," You had a baby, Vicki. That's a damn sight different than just losing touch, the inner voice continued much as it usually did, and Vicki sighed. "Well. You're back now, aren't you? And right here where so many people seem to be. I'm sure you'll find someone." Victoria nodded, cheeks coloring a bit. "I ah...did the same," You had a baby, Vicki. That's a damn sight different than just losing touch, the inner voice continued much as it usually did, and Vicki sighed. "Well. You're back now, aren't you? And right here where so many people seem to be. I'm sure you'll find someone." Glancing at the clock, Vicki realized that Justin was completely right. It was time for her to leave, and it seemed she'd be having coffee on the go today. With a small rueful smile, she shrugged. "Duty calls, but you're not boring me. I'll expect a full report tomorrow morning. Have a good day!" With a cheery wave, she was out the door and on her way to the Ministry. OOC: After this conversation occurred, Justin's friend Theodore Nott offered him a room to rent at his own flat. On the day Justin moved in, he began writing in his journal again.